NORCO, Calif. – The Navy is requesting proposals to establish and operate a food service concession to serve some 1,400 Sailors, Navy civilians and support contractors working at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Detachment Norco, home of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division. The Naval Exchange Service Command, administering the proposal, says the on-base concession has the potential to generate up to $300,000 in annual sales.
Naval installation director Anthony Winicki said the request for proposals is in response to employee surveys asking for more variety than what has been offered in vending machines at the base canteen, adding it will complement local restaurants in the community where employees frequently visit.
Capt. Eric Ver Hage, NSWC Corona commanding officer, said he welcomes having an onsite food provider available to his 1,400 personnel.
“Having a food concession onsite allows my employees more options and greater convenience when they’re not able to leave the base,” said Ver Hage. “Most go to their favorite restaurants in the local community and will continue to do so. But, we’re hoping this will bring a popular local vendor to them here, so when they are on tight schedules or when they didn’t have a chance to bring something from home, they’ll be able to get something really good right here on base.”
The base has two possible sites at the former 1930s luxury resort and World War II Naval hospital that can be renovated for the food facility. The smallest is the existing canteen, a 475-square-foot area, and the other is 1,200 square foot area inside the larger auditorium building, where legendary USO entertainer Bob Hope frequently visited to support patients recovering at the hospital. The contractor is responsible for any renovation costs and furnishings.
The request for proposal can be obtained by contacting Navy Exchange Service Command and requesting the document for NNA 250-12-R-0077. Information may be obtained by contacting Heather Reynolds at 757-631-3589 or heather.reynolds@nexweb.org. Deadline for submitting the RFP is Jan. 14, 2013.
